127: Armin Afsahi, Harvard University

Armin Afsahi was appointed Associate Vice President of Alumni Affairs and Development (AA&D) and Dean of Development for the Faculty of Arts and Sciences (FAS) by Edgerley Family Dean Claudine Gay in August 2019. In this key executive leadership role, Afsahi is responsible for designing and executing a fundraising vision that advances FAS’s mission and diverse academic priorities. In this capacity, Afsahi leads a fundraising enterprise that works collaboratively to generate annual philanthropic resources in excess of $1 Billion, and contributes to strategies to engage alumni, parents and friends with Harvard through creative and meaningful engagement.An accomplished and respected advancement leader with nearly 30 years of experience, Afsahi brings a wide range of expertise in institutional advancement, strategic management, business development, leadership, and operations. Prior to joining AA&D, he served as the vice chancellor for advancement at the University of Denver. Previously, he held senior roles in advancement for the University of California San Diego and Georgetown University. Afsahi has served on national and local boards and held volunteer leadership roles for both nonprofit and professional organizations. He holds a BA in communications from UC San Diego and an MBA from the University of San Diego. Afsahi lives in Boston with his husband, Joe Eklund, and enjoy outdoors, travel, playing tennis and enjoying sports.